Patrick cunningham



(No Model.)

-- P. CUNNINGHAM.

RAIL BOND.

Patented July 2, 1896.

INVENTU fiaaw M/MW'A WITNESSES- TTTY- Unirrn States FFHQFL.

PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN W. CORNELL, OF SAME PLACE.

RAIL-BOND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 541,838, dated July 2, 1895.

Application fileclApril 1,1895. SerialNo. 543,941. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, residing in New Bedford, county of Bristol, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Rail-Bonds, of; which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to electric railway construction in which the rails form part of the electric circuit, and has for its object to provide a simple and efficient connection or bond, by means of which the rails may be more effectually electrically tied or connected together at a minimum expense and in a minimum time.

In accordance with this invention, the rail bond is composed of one or more tie wires, preferably copper, secured at their ends within the eyes of pins or rods, which in practice are inserted into and through suitable holesinthe rails and which are preferably split, so as to be expanded or separated to secure them to the said rails. The eyelets of the pins or rods are preferably open at both sides or ends, so that the ends of the connecting wire or wires may be extended therethrough, to enable them to be more effectually soldered to the said pins or rods, and thereby obtain a more efficient electrical connection of the parts comprising the complete bond. These and other features of this invention will be pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure 1 is an elevation of a sufficient portion of two contiguous rails connected by a rail bond embodying this invention, to enable it to be understood. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 22, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a cross section on the line 3'-3, Fig. 1, and Figs. 4 and 5, modifications to be referred to.

Referring to Fig. 1, A A represent two contiguous rails forming part of an electric railway, which rails may and preferably will be of substantially the shape-shown in cross section in Fig. 3, wherein a represents the base,

a, the thread, and M, the intermediate con necting web.

In accordance with this invention, the rails A A are electrically connected or tied together by means of a bond consisting of one or more wires 1) and eyeleted pins or rods b, each consisting of a shank 5 and eyelet 6. The eyelets 6 of the pins or rods 5 are, for the best results, open at both sides, so that the ends of the Wire or wires 1) maybe extended through the same and effectually soldered at both sides of the eye if desired. The shanks 5 of the eyeleted pins or'rods are, for the best results, split or divided into two parts or members 7, 8, which split may extend the entire length of the shank as shown in Fig. 3, or which may extend only for a portion of its length as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The members of parts 7, Bot the shank are normally substantially close together, and are inserted into and through suitable holes 0 in the rails A A, which holes may and preferably will be made in the web a as represented by dotted lines Fig. 3. The holes 0 and the shanks of the eyeleted rods or pins, are made of such size with relation to each other, that the said shanks will fit the holes snugly, and when so fitted, the shanks. may be secured against accidental removal by the spreading apart of the members 7, 8 of the shanks and preferably upsetting the bent over end portions as shown in Fig. 3.

The eyelet 6 of the rod may be closed as shown in Fig. 4, or it may be split or open as shown in Fig. 5.

In practice, the tie wire I) and the eyeleted rods or pins 1) may be fitted together before being applied to the rails, and if desired, the eyelet may be clamped onto the wire to more effectually connect the parts mechanically and electrically, and the projecting ends of the wire may be upset and soldered if desired.

When the parts are fitted together as just described, the rails may be electrically connected or bonded in a substantially short time, and with a minimum amount of labor, as it is only necessary to insert the rods or pins through the holes 0 in the rails AA and separate and bend back or upset the separated ends.

In the drawings, the rails A A are shown as mechanically tied together by the usual plates 01.

I claim- 1. The combination with the rails of an electric railway, of a rail bond comprising eyeleted pins or rods inserted through holes in the rails and split or divided as described, and a tie Wire inserted into the eyes of the eyeleted rods and secured therein, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A rail bond for electric railways comprising eyeleted rods having divided or split shanks, and a tie Wire having its ends ex- 10 tended through and projecting beyond the eyes of the said rods, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PATRICK CUNNINGHAM. Witnesses:

GEORGE F. CUNNINGHAM, J OHN N. CUNNINGHAM. 

